New International Bureau for Epilepy Survey Highlights 'What Really Matters' to People With Epilepsy Today

Rome (ots/PRNewswire) -

Weight gain revealed as most bothersome unwanted effect
associated with epilepsy treatment

A new, on-going European survey to assess what really matters to
people living with epilepsy today has been commissioned by the
International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), an international umbrella
organisation of national epilepsy patient groups. This survey marks
the 50th anniversary of the IBE and this five decade landmark
provides a timely opportunity to uncover the key issues faced by
patients and carers in 2011 with the hope of improving standards of
care in the future.

Presented today at the International Epilepsy Congress, the
preliminary results of the survey, drawn from over 120 patients in 17
countries, show that weight gain is considered to be the most
bothersome unwanted effect associated with epilepsy medication.
Dizziness and slowing of mental agility were listed as being the next
most disturbing unwanted effects. In general, survey respondents
acknowledged that they experienced side effects with their current
epilepsy treatment, although stated that they were not unduly
bothered by this, and many stated that they simply forget to raise
the issue of unwanted effects with their doctor or nurse. However,
the majority of respondents stated that they 'sometimes' worry about
the long term effects of their treatment.

Also revealed in the initial results were issues relating to
concordance with treatment. The majority of respondents admitted that
they forgot to take their epilepsy treatment as prescribed once a
month and the majority of respondents felt that they found it 'not
very easy' to remember to take their epilepsy treatment.

"We believe this type of people with epilepsy-centric insight is
vital in helping us to improve epilepsy care in the future", points
out IBE President Mike Glynn. "Enormous progress has been made over
the past five decades in epilepsy care and treatment, but there is
still a long way to go. Sadly, epilepsy still continues to take its
toll, impairing the physical, psychological and social functioning of
those affected and their families. We must listen to people with
epilepsy and acknowledge what they really feel about their epilepsy
and associated treatment approaches in order improve their daily
lives."

The survey uses a web-based questionnaire that has been
translated into 12 languages. The easy-to-complete questionnaire is
distributed through the IBE's country chapters via e-mail and probes
into patients' personal experiences of the impact of epilepsy, their
epilepsy management and the aspects of epilepsy and its care that
matter most to them.

The survey was funded through an unrestricted educational grant
provided by Eisai. The field work commenced in July 2011 and will end
mid-September this year. Full survey results will be available before
the end of 2011.

*** ENDS ***

Notes to Editors

About the IBE

The International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) is a worldwide
umbrella organisation, with a powerful global network of 122 members
in 92 countries, providing a platform for the representation of
epilepsy and promoting understanding and knowledge of the condition.
IBE Members are lay organizations, with membership accessible to all.

Members are grouped regionally, in line with the regional
boundaries adopted by the WHO, so that every member of IBE is also a
member of a Regional Committee.

50 years focused on epilepsy

Created in 1961, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the IBE
and the Golden Jubilee of its foundation. Throughout the past five
decades, the IBE has focused on improving epilepsy care and remains
committed to finding new and innovative solutions to the problems
impacting people with epilepsy and their families world-wide.

For further information please visit the IBE's web site
http://www.ibe-epilepsy.org

Eisai in epilepsy

Eisai is committed to developing and delivering highly beneficial
new treatments to help improve the lives of people with epilepsy. The
development of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) is a major strategic area
for Eisai.

About Eisai

Eisai is one of the world's leading R&D-based pharmaceutical
companies and has defined its corporate mission as "giving first
thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits
health care provides," which we call human health care (hhc).

Eisai concentrates its R&D activities in three key areas:
neuroscience; oncology and vascular / immunological reaction.

With operations in the U.S., Asia, Europe and its domestic home
market of Japan, we employ more than 11,000 people worldwide. In
Europe, Eisai undertakes sales and marketing operations in over 20
markets, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain,
Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway,
Portugal, Iceland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and the
Netherlands.

For further information please visit Eisai's web site
http://www.eisai.com

ots Originaltext: Eisai Europe Limited and IBE
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Media contacts, Eisai Europe Ltd, Cressida Robson
(+44-7908-314-155 / Cressida_Robson@eisai.net), Tonic Life
Communications,
Helen Swift / Benjamyn Tan (+44 774 7111217 / +44 7792 034 191),
Benjamyn.tan@toniclc.com, Helen.swift@toniclc.com, International
Bureau For
Epilepsy, Ann Little (+353 1210 8850 / edublin@eircom.net)